Train hero Spencer Stone promoted by Air Force

Spencer Stone, whose summertime heroics in foiling a terrorist attack on a French train were recognized by President Barack Obama, has been promoted, the U.S. Air Force announced Saturday.

Stone was elevated to staff sergeant from airman 1st class during a spirited ceremony Friday at Travis Air Force Base in which officials cited his “heroic actions” in August. He was made a senior airman, and then immediately promoted to the staff sergeant rank.

The promotion, which takes effect Sunday, comes two weeks after the Sacramento native was released from UC Davis Medical Center, where he was treated for stab wounds from a late-night altercation in midtown. The suspects remain at large.

Stone, 23, and two childhood buddies have become media darlings since thwarting the would-be attack. Along with Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos, Stone is credited with subduing a man armed with an AK-47 and Luger pistol on the Paris-bound train.

Skarlatos, a specialist in the Oregon National Guard, has become a regular on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” and was honored as “Veteran of the Game” at Game 3 of the World Series at Citi Field in New York.

Sadler, a senior at California State University, Sacramento, has been celebrated by his peers and relayed his version of the attack on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Stone was wounded in the train incident, and was still recovering from the street fight when he and the others were honored for their bravery at the Sacramento Kings season opener Wednesday.

Standing beside Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, the trio was presented with NBA basketballs – and lifetime supplies of pizza. Stone told a reporter that his recovery was going relatively well, adding, “every day I get a little better.”